When you think of the film industry you think of Hollywood right? But did you know that Berlin is one of the oldest and most experienced cities for cinema production? The history of cinema in Germany dates back to right after the medium was invented. In fact, the first ever instance of an audience paying to watch movies took place at the Wintergarten music-hall here in the capital, on November 1, 1895.

Before the First World War, Germany was one of the leading nations for the European film industry. Tragically, all that progress and innovation came to a halt when the war started. The following decades of history destroyed the dominant influence of Europe in international cinema.

But from the looks of things today, all that time has been made up for. Berlin’s film industry is experiencing a renaissance that’s going-on 20-years now.

489 exhibitors, 8,628 professionals from 100 countries appeared at the European Film Market in 2016

Germany on the whole is a site for numerous festivals and chances for new filmmakers to debut. Berlinale began in 1951 and is the most well-known example. In 2016 they broke their record for attendance which makes it the largest film festival in the world, although they have been in the top five for a while now. Their programme shows about 400 films a year to the public. More importantly, it is the meeting point of the European Film Market which attracts about 8,000 professionals from 400 companies in 95 countries. In other words, the ultimate networking hub for film in Europe.

As of 2013, around 300 productions are shot in Berlin each year, which makes sense when you look at the ever growing list of movies that feature the city. Some of the most notable include:

When dBs Music opened their doors in the UK more than 15 years ago, the world of sound engineering and music production was going through a technological revolution that increased accessibility. This is now happening in film with more people than ever able to get get their hands on filmmaking technology. With this in mind, it’s important to ask what will set your projects apart.

Berlin is a city that teaches hundreds of thousands of artists from around the world what it means to live in a cosmopolitan place rich in history and culture. We here at dBs Film consider it as one of the most invaluable resources we offer alongside our curriculum. What will it show you?